Results 3,521-3,540 of 33,883 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for his question and for his kind comments earlier on. I will talk about business cases first and maybe broaden it out to the public spending code and how these issues are dealt with. The Deputy is correct that it is difficult in a business case to place an economic value on something that is intrinsically social or is a real proper public good. The way I have seen...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: I will add two points. I thank the Deputy. My first point relates to the fairness dimension to the inflationary impact, which the Deputy is right about. Those who have the least suffer the most when prices go up. However, there is a great case to be made for the efforts of the Government in recent years to support those who have the least when prices have affected them. My Department has...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: Stripping the one-off payments against headline inflation of 11.4%, just under 8% in permanent measures is the relevant figure. The impact of the one-off measures is approximately 10%. The one-off measures matter. That €200 or €400 that people are getting is every bit as valuable as an increase in their core social welfare rates. It is money. I will make the following...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy cannot ride both horses.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: I will leave my contribution at that.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: In terms of how we will deal with the regional and fairness issues that Deputy Conway-Walsh has referred to, it will primarily be by ensuring that in the national development plan we have an allocation of our capital in a way that is consistent with the national planning framework. The goal of the national planning framework is how we drive regional development and the plan lays out goals....

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: What is the 24% that Deputy Conway-Walsh is referring to?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: What Deputy Doherty was referring to was the IFAC analysis that if inflation sustained over a period the real impact of our spending plans could decrease by 24%. That risk is there. On the other hand, IFAC warned us against the consequences of spending more on capital. This is separate from the regional development issue to which Deputy Conway-Walsh referred. They are different issues.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: I do. I do not accept that it is business as usual. If I look at the work that is under way, for example, in the context of the rural town development fund overseen by the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, I can already see the benefits it is having. That is not to mention the overall focus on four cities apart from Dublin and what this will do. There is a five-cities approach at the...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: This will be a decision for the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in the context of the various asks and needs that he will have. We already have very ambitious plans for rail development. The Minister for Transport views the project favourably but, ultimately, we will not be able to do everything.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: The infrastructure figures from the EU do not capture the national broadband plan, which is the biggest project of its kind we have ever undertaken. The economic benefit of the plan will be felt outside of our cities. To reiterate what was said by the Minister, Deputy McGrath, we are making a difference. I know we are making a difference in terms of the employment figures we see outside of...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: I can still remember your party's opposition to the national broadband plan. Do you remember it?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: Well-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: That is a pretty theological opposition.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: On the one hand, you are against the national broadband plan-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: Now you are saying you want more of it.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: Good arguments are never over.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputy Canney for his questions. I will build on the points made by the Minister, Deputy McGrath. The Deputy touched on the importance of responding to and supporting citizens who have a disability with respect to the particular support they need. I am very aware of this issue. I have no doubt this will be an important issue when I sit down with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Supports (11 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 221 and 222 together. As set out in the response to the Deputy’s recent questions on this matter, the exact composition of Ireland's Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) claim will not be finalised until the claim is submitted in September 2024. My Department continues to review and assess all spending identified as Brexit-related for inclusion in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff (11 Jul 2023)

Paschal Donohoe: Special Advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State may be appointed by Government in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. The Advisers employed by my Department are outlined below: Minister Special Adviser Paschal Donohoe Deborah Sweeney Paschal Donohoe Fiona O'Connor ...